Pest Control Experts See Termite Activity On The Rise in Polk County

Pest control experts see uptick in problems from subterranean types.

As Polk County struggles with an uptick in subterranean termite activity, experts advise homeowners to eliminate wood-to-soil contact between the ground and home. They also suggest getting your home inspected twice a year.
(PHOTO PROVIDED BY TERMINIX)

Published: Monday, April 21, 2014 at 9:04 p.m.

Last Modified: Monday, April 21, 2014 at 9:04 p.m.

LAKELAND | Randy and Tammy Baugh had their first brush with termites three years ago.

The Lakeland couple called a pest control company, which drilled small holes into their front porch and outfitted them with termite bait stations on the exterior of their home.

"They (pest control company) come back four times a year, and if there's any activity they drop in the poison," Randy Baugh said. "We haven't had any activity for the past year."

The rest of Polk hasn't been quite as lucky, according to a few pest control experts who service the county.

Randall Durden, owner of Lake Alfred-based Total Pest Solutions, said there has been a significant uptick in subterranean termite activity this year.

"It had slowed down in the last five years," said Durden, whose business has been around for eight years. "But this year we've already gotten a couple hundred calls, which is about triple what we usually get."

According to the National Pest Management Association, termites cause $5 billion worth of damage in the United States each year.

The two major types of termites found in Polk County are subterranean and drywood.

Subterranean termites — the most common type of termite found in the U.S. — come from underground colonies in the soil and rely on moisture to protect them from the drying effects of air. Drywood termites live within dry wood sources, so they do not rely on contact with the soil to survive.

The typical subterranean termite season each year is February to late April or early May, while drywood termite season takes place between May and August. Durden thinks the heavy rainfall from last summer contributed to this year's increased activity.

"Other guys I know in the industry have been equally busy this year," Durden said.

Ron Hare has owned E-Rad Pest Control in Lake Wales since 1988, and his time in the pest control business dates to 1966.

"It's definitely busier than usual, and it's because of a combination of things," Hare said. "Right now, the air temperature and the moisture is helping them swarm."

Swarmers — mature, winged termites that leave their original colony to establish a new one — are a strong indicator of a nearby infestation. Other homeowners only contact pest control companies after there has already been visible damage to their home.

"Unfortunately, that is when most people call us, after it is too late and they have incurred several thousand dollars' worth of damage," said Daniel Grimsley, branch manager for Terminix in Polk, Hillsborough and Osceola counties.

"We try to be more like Smokey Bear and provide preventative solutions, but it is difficult to reach them before they have a problem."

Grimsley said last summer and fall saw the biggest increase in drywood termite activity in more than 10 years. He added subterranean termite activity for Terminix customers this year has been normal so far.

Terminix recently collaborated with Harris Interactive for a poll gauging U.S. homeowners' attitudes toward common pests, including termites.

According to the survey — which was conducted between Feb. 28 and March 4 and featured more than 2,000 respondents — 26 percent of U.S. homeowners have never had their home inspected for termites.

<p>LAKELAND | Randy and Tammy Baugh had their first brush with termites three years ago. </p><p>The Lakeland couple called a pest control company, which drilled small holes into their front porch and outfitted them with termite bait stations on the exterior of their home. </p><p>"They (pest control company) come back four times a year, and if there's any activity they drop in the poison," Randy Baugh said. "We haven't had any activity for the past year."</p><p>The rest of Polk hasn't been quite as lucky, according to a few pest control experts who service the county.</p><p>Randall Durden, owner of Lake Alfred-based Total Pest Solutions, said there has been a significant uptick in subterranean termite activity this year.</p><p>"It had slowed down in the last five years," said Durden, whose business has been around for eight years. "But this year we've already gotten a couple hundred calls, which is about triple what we usually get."</p><p>According to the National Pest Management Association, termites cause $5 billion worth of damage in the United States each year.</p><p>The two major types of termites found in Polk County are subterranean and drywood. </p><p>Subterranean termites — the most common type of termite found in the U.S. — come from underground colonies in the soil and rely on moisture to protect them from the drying effects of air. Drywood termites live within dry wood sources, so they do not rely on contact with the soil to survive. </p><p>The typical subterranean termite season each year is February to late April or early May, while drywood termite season takes place between May and August. Durden thinks the heavy rainfall from last summer contributed to this year's increased activity.</p><p>"Other guys I know in the industry have been equally busy this year," Durden said.</p><p>Ron Hare has owned E-Rad Pest Control in Lake Wales since 1988, and his time in the pest control business dates to 1966. </p><p>"It's definitely busier than usual, and it's because of a combination of things," Hare said. "Right now, the air temperature and the moisture is helping them swarm." </p><p>Swarmers — mature, winged termites that leave their original colony to establish a new one — are a strong indicator of a nearby infestation. Other homeowners only contact pest control companies after there has already been visible damage to their home.</p><p>"Unfortunately, that is when most people call us, after it is too late and they have incurred several thousand dollars' worth of damage," said Daniel Grimsley, branch manager for Terminix in Polk, Hillsborough and Osceola counties.</p><p>"We try to be more like Smokey Bear and provide preventative solutions, but it is difficult to reach them before they have a problem."</p><p>Grimsley said last summer and fall saw the biggest increase in drywood termite activity in more than 10 years. He added subterranean termite activity for Terminix customers this year has been normal so far.</p><p>Terminix recently collaborated with Harris Interactive for a poll gauging U.S. homeowners' attitudes toward common pests, including termites.</p><p>According to the survey — which was conducted between Feb. 28 and March 4 and featured more than 2,000 respondents — 26 percent of U.S. homeowners have never had their home inspected for termites. </p><p>Additionally, 30 percent think termite damage is covered by standard homeowner insurance, while 43 percent think termites can be controlled using do-it-yourself methods.</p><p>Durden said many consumers who live in homes largely made out of concrete think they are immune to termite infestations.</p><p>"They can still get at the starch in your wall, the base boards and your door frames," he said.</p><p>Experts have several tips for spotting and helping prevent infestations.</p><p>Hare suggests eliminating any wood-to-soil contact between the ground and home.</p><p>Grimsley said Polk residents should consider having their home inspected twice a year by a professional.</p><p>During a typical inspection, Durden said he looks for termite wings and droppings. </p><p>He also checks to see whether the wood in the house is sound, and alerts homeowners to potential problems, like piled mulch or sprinklers hitting the side of a house.</p><p>Still, Durden concedes inspections can't catch every problem.</p><p>"What you really need is to apply a product around the exterior of your home that can repel termites before they even get in," he said. </p><p>"Even professionals can't see what's going on inside your walls."</p><p>[John Ceballos can be reached at john.ceballos@theledger.com or 863-802-7515.]</p>